Light Activated Try-Me Packaging

ABSTRACT

A toy package assembly is disclosed. The package assembly configures a product and a light source within a blister pack, where the product is illuminated by a light source. The blister pack contains at least one tapered surface that configures the product within the blister pack to maximize the amount of light from the light source that illuminates the product. The product contains a color changing portion that reacts to the light from the light source by changing color. In one embodiment, the product is a toy vehicle, and in another embodiment, the product is a doll.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/564,385, filed Nov. 29, 2011, Attorney DocketNo. 1389.0359P/16996P, entitled “Light Activated Try-Me Packaging,” theentire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to packaging for a product, such as a toy,and in particular, to packaging that allows for the activation of alight source to demonstrate the color changing effect of the product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some conventional product package assemblies employ the concept of a“Try-Me” feature for the product contained within the package assembly,enabling potential purchasers to try the product before purchasing it.Furthermore, some package assemblies utilize lights or sounds to attractattention to the product within. Many toy packaged assemblies, however,lack the combination of the “Try-Me” feature of a product and a lightsource that activates a color change element in the product.

Therefore, there is a need for package assembly that enables potentialpurchasers to try a product with a light source and, in particular,activate a color changing product that reacts to the light source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a product package assembly. In oneembodiment, the package assembly contains an insert with at least onetapered surface to position a light source and/or a toy product withrespect to each other. The package assembly positions a light source anda toy product in a manner that optimizes the amount of light thatilluminates the toy product. The toy product includes a color changingportion that reacts to the light beam from the light source. The toypackage assembly further includes an opening allowing actuation of thelight source.

In one embodiment, a package or packaging assembly for a toy comprises abacking sheet, a blister pack attached to the backing sheet, the blisterpack comprising a body portion and an insert placed within the bodyportion, the insert comprising a first and second cavity, a light sourcepositioned within the first cavity of the insert, and a productpositioned within the second cavity of the insert so the light sourceilluminates the product when actuated.

In an alternative embodiment, the product contains a color changingportion that is responsive to the light produced from the light source.

In an alternative embodiment, the insert contains a tapered surface forthe light source and for the product that positions the light source andproduct at an angle with respect to each other for casting the lightbeam from the light source over a greater area of the product.

In an alternative embodiment, the body portion of the blister packcomprises an opening that corresponds to or is substantially alignedwith the light source.

In an alternative embodiment, the light source comprises an actuator, anLED, and a power source.

In an alternative embodiment, the light source emits a light beam in theUV spectrum (400 nm-300 nm).

In an alternative embodiment, the product includes wheels.

In an alternative embodiment, the backing sheet has a front surface. Inaddition, the backing sheet includes a top edge that comprises a groove.

In an alternative embodiment, a product assembly comprises a backingsheet, a blister pack attached to the backing sheet, the blister packcomprising a body portion and an insert, the insert defining areceptacle and a channel placed within the body portion, a light sourceplaced within the receptacle, and a product placed within the insertwith at least a portion of the product placed within the channel of theinsert.

In an alternative embodiment, the product contains a color changingportion that is responsive to the light produced from the light source.

In an alternative embodiment, the product comprises a doll with hair

In an alternative embodiment, the hair of the product includes a colorchanging portion that is at least a portion of the hair of the doll.

In an alternative embodiment, the insert has a tapered surface for thechannel for positioning the at least a portion of the product within thechannel at an angle with respect to a light source for casting a lightbeam over a greater area of the product.

In an alternative embodiment, the body portion of the blister packdefines an opening that corresponds to the light source.

In an alternative embodiment, the light source comprises an actuator, anLED, and a power source.

In an alternative embodiment, the light source is in the shape of awand.

In an alternative embodiment, the light source emits a light beam in theUV spectrum (400 nm-300 nm).

In an alternative embodiment, the backing sheet has of a front surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of productpackaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of product packagingaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of the blister pack insertof the product packaging illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the blister pack insert of the productpackaging illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 illustrates a close-up front view of the light source and colorchanging portion of the product illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top perspective view of the light source andblister pack insert of the product packaging illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of another embodiment of the productpackaging according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic side view of the light source and blisterpack insert of the product packaging illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the blister pack insert of theproduct packaging illustrated in FIG. 7.

Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elementsthroughout this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A product package assembly according to the present invention includespackaging, a light source, and a product that is positioned or coupledto the packaging so that it is illuminated by the light source. In oneembodiment, the light source is an LED. In other embodiments, the lightsource is a lamp, a bulb, or other light emitting member. In anotherembodiment, the light source emits a light beam near the UV lightspectrum, about 400 nm to 300 nm. In one embodiment, at least a portionof the product has a color changing element that reacts to illuminationfrom a light source. In another embodiment, the color change element ofthe product is constructed from photochromic materials.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic block diagram of a package assemblyaccording to the present invention is illustrated. Package assembly 5contains a package or packaging 10, which houses a light source 12 and aproduct 20. In one embodiment, the packaging 10 is configured tosubstantially or fully enclose the product 20. In another embodiment,the packaging 10 is configured to support the product 20 in a manner inwhich the product 20 is not enclosed.

The product 20 has a color change portion/element 22, which canencompass the entire product 20 or a portion of the product 20. In oneembodiment, the light source 12 is an LED and is illuminated in responseto user activation of a switch and/or actuator. When the light source 12is illuminated within the packaging 10, the light source 12 emits alight beam 14 that illuminates the product 20, and more specifically,the color change portion/element 22, changing the color of the colorchange portion/element 22.

Illustrated in FIG. 2 is one embodiment of the package assembly 5.Referring to FIG. 2, the package assembly 100 includes product packaging101, a light source 160, and a product 180. Product packaging 101 isformed from backing sheet 110 and blister pack 120. In one embodiment,backing sheet 110 is constructed from cardboard. In another embodiment,backing sheet 110 is constructed from other materials, such as paperstock, plastic, or other deformable materials that provide structure forthe blister pack. In one embodiment, backing sheet 100 contains a frontsurface 112 and a top edge 114. Front surface 112 may contain graphicalimages or words that describe, advertise, or provide information aboutthe product 180. Top edge 114 may contain a groove 116, which allows thepackage assembly 100 to be hung for display on fixtures within stores.

The blister pack 120 includes a body portion 122 and an insert 140 (seeFIG. 3). Blister pack 120 may be constructed from a transparent ortranslucent material, such as plastic. In one embodiment, body portion122 may have a substantially rectangular or square shape. In otherembodiments, body portion 122 may have another substantially geometricshape, such as a circle or triangle. Additionally, body portion 122contains a front surface 124 and a bottom surface 130. Bottom surface130 allows for the package assembly 100 to be placed on shelves in anupright position. Front surface 124 may further contain an opening 128and an opening edge 126 that defines the opening 128. The opening 128may be placed on the front surface 124 in a location proximate to thelight source 160 to allow potential purchasers to actuate the lightsource 160 through opening 128.

Referring to FIG. 3, the insert 140 of blister pack 120 contains a firstwall portion 142 and a second wall portion 148. First wall portion 142defines a first cavity 146, which is designed to contain light source160 in the package assembly 100. The light source 160 includes a lightemitting diode (LED) 170 as described below. Second wall portion 148defines a second cavity 152, which is designed to house the product 180in the package assembly 5. Furthermore, light source 160, when placed inthe first cavity 146, is positioned in proximity to the opening 128 infront surface 124 of body portion 122. This positioning allows potentialpurchasers to utilize actuator 168 on light source 160 via opening 128.

Referring back to FIG. 2, product 180 is in the shape of a toy vehicle.In this embodiment, product 180 includes a body 182 and wheels 188coupled to the body 182. The body 182 of the product 180 has an outersurface 184 that contains a color change portion/element or area 186. Asdescribed previously, the color change portion/element area, whenilluminated by light source 160, changes color in response to the nearUV light from the light source 160.

Referring to FIG. 3, insert 140 is supporting light source 160 withinfirst cavity 146 and product 180 within second cavity 152, as describedabove. As shown, first wall portion 142 contains a first tapered surface144. When light source 160 is placed within first cavity 146, lightsource 160 is supported by first wall portion 142 and first taperedsurface 144. First tapered surface 144 positions light source 160 withinfirst cavity 146 where the light source 160 stands offset from avertical plane.

Similarly, second wall portion 148 contains a second tapered surface150. When product 180 is placed within second cavity 152, product 180 isheld in place by second wall portion 148 and supported by second taperedsurface 150. Second tapered surface 150 supports product 180 withinsecond cavity 152 situating or positioning product 180 offset from thehorizontal plane. As a result, in this embodiment, the product 180 isoriented at an angle such that the color change portion/element iseasily visible by a consumer.

Referring to FIG. 4, insert 140 is supporting light source 160 withinfirst cavity 146 and product 180 within second cavity 152. As previouslydescribed, light source 160 is offset from the vertical plane whenpositioned in first cavity 146 of insert 140. This vertical offset isdue to the support provided by first tapered surface 144. Furthermore,as previously described, product 180 is offset from the horizontal planewhen positioned in second cavity 152 of insert 140. This horizontaloffset is provided by second tapered surface 150. Due to the positioningof the light source 160 by the first tapered surface 144 and product 180by the second tapered surface 150, the light beam 174, emitted by lightsource 160, illuminates product 180 at an angle other than ninety (90)degrees. This positioning of the light source 160 optimizes the amountof light that illuminates the color change portion/element 186 of theproduct 180.

Referring to FIG. 5, a close-up view of a portion of the packageassembly 100. In this embodiment, light source 160 contains a housing162 and a first opening 164 in the housing 162. In this embodiment, theopening 164 is shaped and sized to receive an LED 170. In otherembodiments, the opening 164 in the housing 162 is shaped and sized tofit a light emitting member, such as a lamp or a bulb. As illustrated inFIG. 5, when the LED 170 of the light source 160 is direction upon andilluminates the outer surface 184 of the body 182 of the product 180,the portion of the outer surface 184 on which the LED 170 is directedchanges color as the body 182 of the product includes a color changematerial, such as a photochromic material therein.

Another view of the light source 160 and product 180 is illustrated inFIG. 6. The housing 162 of the light source 160 includes a secondopening 166 configured to fit an actuator 168. In this embodiment, theactuator 168 is a push button. When the actuator 168 is depressed, thelight source 160 is activated or turned on and the LED 170 emits a lightbeam 174. In another embodiment, the actuator 168 may be a differenttype of actuator, such as a switch, a slider, or a rotating element,such as a dial. Furthermore, within housing 162 is a power source (notshown) that is used to power the LED 170 to create a light beam 174. Inthe present embodiment, the power source is a battery. In anotherembodiment, the power source may be an external power source.

Moreover, FIG. 6 illustrates a color change that occurred on a portionof the outer surface 184 of the body 182 of the product 180. The colorchange portion/element 186 reacts to the LED 172 of the light source 160when the LED 172 emits a light beam 174. In this present embodiment, thecolor change portion/element 186 is constructed from photochromicmaterial, making it susceptible to dramatic variations of theelectromagnetic spectrum. In the present embodiment, the LED 172 emits alight beam 174 in the near UV spectrum, which is in the range of 400 nmto 300 nm.

Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. In this embodiment, package assembly 200 includes productpackaging 201, a light source 240, and a product 260. Product packaging201 is formed from backing sheet 210 and blister pack 220. Similar tobacking sheet 110, backing sheet 210 is constructed from a deformablematerial that provides structure, such as cardboard, and has a frontsurface 212 with graphical images or words that describe, advertise, orprovide information on the product 260. In this embodiment, the blisterpack 220 is attached to the backing sheet 210, where the blister pack220 covers the entire backing sheet 210. The blister pack 220 may beattached to the backing sheet 210 in several ways, such as being gluedonto the front surface 212 of the backing sheet 210.

The blister pack 220 contains a body portion 222 and an insert 230 (seeFIG. 8). Held within the blister pack 220 are the product 260 and alight source 240. The body portion 222 contains a front surface 224which is transparent or translucent, allowing the product 260 and thelight source 240 to be visible. Front surface 224 contains an opening228 and an opening edge 226 defining the opening 228, which arepositioned in proximity to the light source 240.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the product 260 is a toyfigure, such as a doll. The product 260 has a body 262 resembling thatof a doll, and hair 264, which encompasses the color change element 266of the product 260. In other words, at least a portion of the hair 264of the doll 260 is made of a color change material that functions as thecolor change element 266. Furthermore, the light source 260 in thisembodiment is in the shape of a wand. The light source 260 contains aport/opening 242 for light to shine from a light source, such as an LED,located within the housing of the wand, and an actuator 246.

Referring to FIG. 8, a side view of the insert 230, the light source240, and the hair 264 is illustrated. As shown, the light source 240 hasa housing 242 and an actuator 246. Within the housing 242 are a powersource 250 and an LED 248. The power source 250 enables the LED 248 toemit a light beam 252 when the actuator 246 is depressed. Furthermore,as previously discussed, a light producing device other than an LED 248may be used to produce a light beam 252 from the light source 240.

The side view of the insert 230 illustrated in FIG. 8, displays insert230 having a tapered surface 234 with hair 264 positioned on top of thetapered surface 234. The hair contains color changing portion/element266, which in this embodiment entails a portion of the hair 264containing a photochromic material. In one implementation, thephotochromic material is formed in the strands of hair. In anotherimplementation, the photochromic material is a coating that is appliedto the strands of hair. The insert 230 positions hair 264 on the taperedsurface 234 and the light source 240 is oriented to illuminate thetapered surface 234 with light beam 252. The tapered surface 234 of theinsert 230 allows the light beam 252 of the light source 240 toilluminate the hair 264 at an optimized angle, illuminating a greaterarea of the hair 264. The tapered surface 234 enables more of the hair264 that contains the color change portion/element 266 to beilluminated, and react to the light beam 252 from light source 240.

A perspective view of an insert 230 according to the alternativeembodiment is illustrated by FIG. 9. FIG. 9 illustrates the insert 230having a housing 231 including a light source receptacle 236 withreceptacle wall 238. The combination of the light source receptacle 236and receptacle wall 238 in the insert 230 allow for placement of thelight source 240 in the receptacle in the insert 230. The light sourcereceptacle 236 is shaped to mate with the light source 240. The lightsource receptacle 236 and the receptacle wall 238 keep the light sourcein place within the blister pack 220 and the product packaging 201during movement of the product package assembly 200. Furthermore, asillustrated by FIG. 9, insert 230 contains a channel 232 which extendsfrom the light source receptacle 236, along the tapered surface 234 ofthe insert 230. The hair 264 of the product 260 fits within channel 232.This channel 232 enables the hair 264 of the product 260 to bepositioned relative to the light source 260, maximizing the exposure ofthe hair 264 with the color changing portion/element 266 to the lightbeam 252 of the light source 240. The channel 232 aligns the hair 264with the port/opening 242 of the light source 240.

It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,”“bottom,” “front,” “end,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,”“upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the likeas may be used herein, merely described points or portions of referenceand do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation orconfiguration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.,merely identify one of a number of portions, components, and/or pointsof reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present inventionto any particular configuration or orientation.

Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described hereinas embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thescope of the inventions. In addition, various features from one of theembodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments.Accordingly, it is appropriate that the invention be construed broadlyand in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure.

Exemplary descriptions of the present invention include the following:

A. A packaging assembly for a toy, comprising: a backing sheet, ablister pack attached to the backing sheet, the blister pack comprisinga body portion and an insert positioned within the body portion, theinsert comprising a first and second cavity, a light source positionedwithin the first cavity of the insert, and a product positioned withinthe second cavity of the insert so the light source illuminates theproduct when actuated.

B. The packaging assembly of A above, wherein the product contains acolor changing portion that is responsive to the light produced from thelight source.

C. The packaging assembly of A above, wherein the insert contains atapered surface for the light source and for the product, forpositioning the light source and product at an angle with respect toeach other for casting the light beam from the light source over agreater area of the product.

D. The packaging assembly of A above, wherein the body portion comprisesan opening that corresponds to the light source.

E. The packaging assembly of A above, wherein the light source comprisesan actuator, an LED, and a power source.

F. The packaging assembly of A above, wherein the light source emits alight beam in the UV spectrum (400 nm-300 nm).

G. The packaging assembly of A above, wherein the product compriseswheels.

H. The packaging assembly of A above, wherein the backing sheetcomprises a front surface.

I. The packaging assembly of A above, wherein the backing sheetcomprises a top edge that comprises a groove.

J. A product assembly, comprising: a backing sheet, a blister packattached to the backing sheet, the blister pack comprising a bodyportion and an insert placed within the body portion with a receptacleand a channel, a light source placed within the receptacle, and aproduct placed within the insert with at least a portion of the productplaced within the channel of the insert.

K. The product assembly of J above, wherein the product contains a colorchanging portion that is responsive to the light produced from the lightsource.

L. The packaging assembly of J above, wherein the product comprises adoll with hair

M. The packaging assembly of J above, wherein at least a portion of thehair of comprises the color changing portion of the product.

N. The product assembly of J above, wherein the insert contains atapered surface for the channel for positioning the at least a portionof the product within the channel at an angle with respect to lightsource for casting a light beam over a greater area of the product.

O. The product assembly of J above, wherein the body portion comprisesan opening that corresponds to the light source.

P. The product assembly of J above, wherein the light source comprisesan actuator, an LED, and a power source.

Q. The product assembly of J above, wherein the light source is in theshape of a wand.

R. The product assembly of J above, wherein the light source emits alight beam in the UV spectrum (400 nm-300 nm).

S. The product assembly of J above, wherein the backing sheet includes afront surface.

What is claimed is:
 1. A packaging assembly for a toy, comprising: abacking sheet; and a blister pack attached to the backing sheet, theblister pack comprising: a body portion, an insert positioned within thebody portion, the insert comprising a first and second cavity, a lightsource positioned within the first cavity of the insert, and a productpositioned within the second cavity of the insert so the light sourceilluminates the product when actuated.
 2. The packaging assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the product contains a color changing portion that isresponsive to the light produced from the light source.
 3. The packagingassembly of claim 1, wherein the insert contains a tapered surface forthe light source and for the product, for positioning the light sourceand product at an angle with respect to each other for casting the lightbeam from the light source over a greater area of the product.
 4. Thepackaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the body portion comprises anopening that corresponds to the light source.
 5. The packaging assemblyof claim 1, wherein the light source comprises an actuator, an LED, anda power source.
 6. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the lightsource emits a light beam in the UV spectrum (400 nm-300 nm).
 7. Thepackaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the product comprises wheels. 8.The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the backing sheet comprises afront surface.
 9. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the backingsheet comprises a top edge that comprises a groove.
 10. The packagingassembly of claim 1, wherein the blister pack is constructed of atranslucent material.
 11. A product assembly, comprising: a backingsheet; and a blister pack attached to the backing sheet, the blisterpack comprising: a body portion, and an insert placed within the bodyportion with a receptacle and a channel, a light source placed withinthe receptacle, and a product placed within the insert with at least aportion of the product placed within the channel of the insert.
 12. Theproduct assembly of claim 11, wherein the product contains a colorchanging portion that is responsive to the light produced from the lightsource.
 13. The product assembly of claim 11, wherein the productcomprises a doll with hair.
 14. The product assembly of claim 11,wherein at least a portion of the hair of comprises the color changingportion of the product.
 15. The product assembly of claim 11, whereinthe insert contains a tapered surface for the channel for positioningthe at least a portion of the product within the channel at an anglewith respect to light source for casting a light beam over a greaterarea of the product.
 16. The product assembly of claim 11, wherein thebody portion comprises an opening that corresponds to the light source.17. The product assembly of claim 11, wherein the light source comprisesan actuator, an LED, and a power source.
 18. The product assembly ofclaim 11, wherein the light source is in the shape of a wand.
 19. Theproduct assembly of claim 11, wherein the light source emits a lightbeam in the UV spectrum (400 nm-300 nm).
 20. The product assembly ofclaim 11, wherein the backing sheet includes a front surface.